With a good number of players back, the Decatur Lady Bulldogs have their eyes set on surpassing a solid playoff run last season which ended in the Elite Eight.

After 17 games and a 12-5 record with sophomore Jayla Morrow leading the way in scoring, the Lady Bulldogs have a realistic chance of doing such.

Surprisingly, Decatur coach Bill Roberts felt secure in this goal after a three-game losing streak last month which included single-digit setbacks to Greater Atlanta Christian, St. Pius and Wesleyan, respectively.

“I think playing that tough competition really made us better as a team,” he said. “It showed us that we could compete and we were going to be just as strong of a program as we were last year.”

As a result, Decatur bounced back to win its next eight games before back-to-back losses.

After visiting McNair this Friday and a rematch against Cross Keys a day later, the Lady Bulldogs have another key matchup at home against Region 6-AAA leader St. Pius.

“We got to play no-mistake basketball and make sure we try to contain their two big players,” said Roberts while also referring to Lady Golden Lions senior Jasmine Carter and junior Asia Durr. “They got two major D-I players over there and that can be tough. We have to play a lot better defense in order to win that game.”

“It has to be a team effort,” Morrow said. “We should go at our pace and not play at their pace. We have to keep our attitudes right and just play the game. We really want to win.”

In the first contest, Decatur had a seven-point lead entering the fourth quarter but was held to just four points in the frame on the way to a 48-44 shortcoming.

“In fourth quarter, Jasmine Carter came in and made a big difference for them,” Roberts said. “She was able to take some more pressure of off Asia. When they did that, it made the team more confident and they got on a run.”

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